TODD SEAVEY
author of Libertarianism for Beginners and writer of/speaker about many other things

Friday, March 25, 2011

Gene-Splicing: The Strange Fate of Gene Loves Jezebel

A bit of Jezebel blogging to set the record straight: No, the alternative rock band Gene Loves Jezebel did NOT break up ten years prior to the conversation about them I attempted to start with a woman in a bar once, though she dismissively suggested as much (roughly the first and last time I ever talked to a complete stranger in a bar, which in fact has put no dent in the social life). But shortly after that bar conversation, the two twin brothers at the heart of the band had a falling-out and embarked on a decade of lawsuits against each other for control of the band name -- while two bands by the name Gene Loves Jezebel performed, confusing fans -- until, in 2008, per Wikipedia:

Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel announced that an agreement had been reached with Michael Aston regarding the use of the name "Gene Loves Jezebel": Jay Aston's band will be known as "Gene Loves Jezebel" in the UK and "Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel" within the US; Michael Aston's band will be known as "Gene Loves Jezebel" in the US and "Michael Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel" in the UK. The settlement agreement has been posted on Michael's Gene Loves Jezebel website.

So strictly speaking, there is a U.S. "Gene Loves Jezebel" and a UK "Gene Loves Jezebel," with a different twin fronting each. Much like the Earth-1 and Earth-2 Superman. (And speaking of geekery: tonight, I weasel my way into a free Sucker Punch screening AND PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL BE ROOTING AGAINST THE CRAZY CHICKS, ALWAYS. Tomorrow, by contrast, I will explain my doubts about Paul, backwards as this movie-preference hierarchy will sound to some.)